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Q: Origins of Speedmaster design

Risto
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Recently a friend asked me about the origins of the Speedmaster design - the case, the bezel, the dial.
I gave him an answer that the case was made by Huguenin Freres, but I'm not really 100% sure.
The same goes for the bezel.
The dial was made by Singer afaik.

Also, Rodania Geometer had similar dial layout as Speedmaster, it lacked the bezel though.

I tried to research this topic, but couldn't find anything from this forum and neither Google gave me anything.

I'd appreciate if more knowledgeable members would give some feedback in this matter.
 
JimInOz
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I just sent an email asking one of my mates who is a Speedmaster afishionado, "who is responsible for the design of the Speedmaster?".

His one word reply was:

"God".
 
kov
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A lot of discussions about the Rodania Geometer being the inspiration for the Speedmaster dial.

What are your thoughts about this even earlier Breitling?

upload_2020-12-6_11-26-47.jpeg


My Geometer is being serviced atm, looking forward to make a pic of the three brothers from different mothers 馃榾
 
alefar
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kov kov
A lot of discussions about the Rodania Geometer being the inspiration for the Speedmaster dial.

What are your thoughts about this even earlier Breitling?

upload_2020-12-6_11-26-47.jpeg


My Geometer is being serviced atm, looking forward to make a pic of the three brothers from different mothers 馃榾
Never seen that breitling before, thanks for sharing馃憤馃憤
 
Dash1
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kov kov
What are your thoughts about this even earlier Breitling?
What year is the Breitling? Nice watch btw and surely an inspiration for the Speedmaster.
 
kov
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Dash1 Dash1
What year is the Breitling? Nice watch btw and surely an inspiration for the Speedmaster.

I have requested for information from Breitling Archives, will share as soon as I get feedback. My take on that is mid-1950s but let鈥檚 have this confirmed 馃榾
 
Foo2rama
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I wouldn鈥檛 say inspiration...

the Brietling and Rodina share something with the speedy.

Singer made the dials. Singer would design dials and offer them to watch makers.
 
kov
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Dash1 Dash1
What year is the Breitling? Nice watch btw and surely an inspiration for the Speedmaster.
kov kov
I have requested for information from Breitling Archives, will share as soon as I get feedback. My take on that is mid-1950s but let鈥檚 have this confirmed 馃榾

The information from the Archives at Breitling confirms this watch to be a ref.1191 produced in January 1958.

It would have been good fun if the watch were from a pre-speedmaster era. Unfortunately it is from the same period as the 2915s 馃榾

So the Geometer remains the one 馃榾

upload_2020-12-22_10-31-42.jpeg
 
Dash1
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kov kov
The information from the Archives at Breitling confirms this watch to be a ref.1191 produced in January 1958.
Very interesting. Thanks for the update.
Btw, is it an easy process to get archive information from Breitling?
 
vlaspri
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kov kov
The information from the Archives at Breitling confirms this watch to be a ref.1191 produced in January 1958.

It would have been good fun if the watch were from a pre-speedmaster era. Unfortunately it is from the same period as the 2915s 馃榾

So the Geometer remains the one 馃榾

upload_2020-12-22_10-31-42.jpeg
Oh, never seen this one, the dial is veeery similar to Speedmaster!
 
zoohannover
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A section in 'The Moon Watch' from Omega names the following Huguenin people responsible for designing the watch case: Claude Baillod as the designer, Georges Hartman, who built the prototype, and D茅sire Faivre, who took care of the subtleties.

IMG_2940.jpg
 
Ascalon
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Very interesting, watching with interest.
Keep the sources coming!
 
kov
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Dash1 Dash1
Btw, is it an easy process to get archive information from Breitling?

from the Breitling website :

How can I have my Breitling authenticated?
Send it to a Breitling service center or hand it to a Breitling Store. It will then be passed on to the headquarters in Switzerland and you will receive an estimate including:

  • interventions to return the watch to its initial condition, if necessary (exchange of non-compliant parts),
  • Certificate of Authenticity (at a cost of 350 CHF),
  • other interventions proposed to restore or maintain the functions of your watch, or to enhance its aesthetics. However our Breitling service centers do not assess the current value of your timepiece. For this kind of information, we suggest turning to an expert for second hand and vintage watches, for example at a specialized auction house.
 
Dash1
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kov kov
from the Breitling website :
Many thanks indeed. Makes Omega鈥檚 extract look very reasonable in cost and ease of obtaining.
 
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